In advance of the holiday, Inspire, Encourage, Achieve (IEA) hosted its annual Ben’s Kids Thanksgiving Celebration at the Sarah Street Event Center. IEA students, families, and community partners gathered to celebrate the program’s impact and the children it serves.
Founded 28 years ago to help perpetuate Ben Rogers’ legacy of helping youth achieve dignity and respect through services provided with compassion, understanding and love, the organization facilitates mentoring, counseling, literacy instruction, tutoring, civics and “street law” education, case management, and after-school activities, both for youth in detention at the Minnie Rogers Juvenile Justice Center (MRJJC) and in its outreach program (Ben’s Kids).
New IEA Executive Director Cheryl Trippett warmly welcomed guests, emphasizing the power of mentorship in shaping young lives. Donna Taylor, IEA service coordinator, expressed heartfelt thanks to mentors, volunteers, parents, Jefferson County Juvenile Probation Department, IEA Board, staff, and sponsors for unwavering support to provide a gateway to success for the youth mentees.
Among the evening’s special guests and supporters were board members including IEA Board President Kim Phelan, former Juvenile Probation Chief “Bubba” Martin, Judge Gordon Friesz, Imogene Chargois, and Juvenile Probation Chief Ed Cockrell; Jefferson County Clerk Roxanne Acosta-Hellberg; Justices of the Peace Joseph L. Guillory II and Benjamin Collins; Constables Jevonne Pollard and Chris Bates; and the Junior League of Beaumont.
Taylor also recognized Beaumont ISD, the Beaumont Police Department’s Cops N Kids program, represented by BPD Officers Cesar Beattie and DeAnna Wiltz, and the Port Arthur Police Department for participating in partnerships that strengthen relationships between schools, officers, and at-risk youth.
Special guest and keynote speaker, Karrie Butler, traveled from Dallas to share a message: “How will I respond to my second chance?” Butler, a West Brook High School graduate, Baylor University business major, and former track star, is married to Sierra Evans, daughter of Chef Bettina Evans, Culinary Arts director at BISD’s Career and Technical Center, who prepared the evening’s meal with assistance from her students. Introducing him, Taylor called Butler “an amazing husband, an awesome dad, and an inspirational speaker,” adding, “After what he’s been through this year, he truly is Superman.”
In December 2024, Butler suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while at work. A coworker’s quick action with CPR and an AED saved Butler’s life. Transported to UTSW’s Cardiovascular ICU, he experienced multiple cardiac arrests caused by ventricular tachycardia and was placed on life support.
“I still get emotional every time I reflect on the miracle God carried me through,” Butler said. “I couldn’t change my circumstances, but I could choose my response. And I chose faith and to trust in the goodness of a God who still performs miracles.”
During his recovery, Butler said he made three commitments that continue to guide him:
1. Choose your hard. “Life will always be hard. I chose the hard that would help me grow.”
2. Who you listen to matters. “Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you. Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.”
3. One step at a time. “Healing — physically, mentally, spiritually — comes one decision, one step, one day at a time.”
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending,” Butler quoted from C.S. Lewis.
IEA Founder Regina Rogers expressed gratitude “to God for bringing us together tonight and allowing us to impact the lives of Ben’s Kids and their families.” She also expressed appreciation for IEA Board President Kim Phelan, the dedicated IEA staff, and all attendees, adding, “Love is the ingredient we believe is most important in everything we do.”
At the close of the evening, Trippett again thanked Butler and recognized the IEA team, and announced the addition of a few more ingredients to make the holiday extra special for guests. Every family received a box of holiday food items, a delicious pie, and a H-E-B and other gift cards.
IEA continues to prove that it truly “takes a village” to change lives — uniting the Jefferson County Juvenile Probation Department, community organizations, faith groups, and businesses to mentor and guide youth toward brighter futures.
For more information, call (409) 839-8778.